Dr. Phil Regrets 'Inappropriate' Comments

AP
Posted: 2008-01-30 17:02:34
NEW YORK (Jan. 30) - Television's "Dr. Phil" McGraw says he regrets talking about Britney Spears' mental health after visiting her in the hospital, but didn't violate the family's trust.

"I regret making the statement. It didn't help. It didn't work," the syndicated TV psychologist said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Spears, 26, was hospitalized in Los Angeles after a child custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline resulted in an hours-long standoff with police Jan. 3. Federline has sole physical and legal custody of their two sons, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1.

What's Your Take?

McGraw said he visited the pop singer as a family friend, and rejected critics who accused him of practicing psychology without a license.

"I did not go there to diagnose her. I did not go there to treat her," said McGraw, who showed up at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Jan. 5 as Spears was about to be discharged.

McGraw said he retired his Texas license after 25 years of private practice because of the demands of his "Dr. Phil" daytime talk show.

The Spears family has accused McGraw of betraying their trust by making an "inappropriate" public statement about the singer's hospitalization.

McGraw had told celebrity news TV shows that Spears was in "dire" need of medical and psychological help.

In an appearance on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday, McGraw said his public comments after visiting Spears were intended to prevent rumors and misinformation.

"I wanted to stop speculation about what may have gone on in there," he said.

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Britney Spears' lawyer told a court that it would be "harmful" for the singer to participate in a July 31 hearing regarding her conservatorship case because her health condition is still "fluid."



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2008-01-30 10:08:19
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234 comments

Twncty7 03:18:13 PM Feb 02 2008

This man has deep homo-sexual tendencies that require him to lean too far the feminist side. This is why he embrasses his female guests. It is his hidden subconcious reaction to his homo tendencies that makes it appear that he is always against men. Most men that fall into this catagory have frequent homosexual encounters as well as being fans of Yanni. The point is that Phil may want to BE Britney more than he wants to help Britney. If this diagnosis should be in error then I would have to say he has been doing this for ratings. I might not be a real licensed Psychologist but I play one on tv, just like Dr. Phil!

birra333 08:43:49 AM Feb 02 2008

it is all about RATINGS....Dr Phil does not care about Britney Spears.

lawrencetucson 05:48:25 AM Feb 02 2008

I don't like Phil. He's always raging on men. So, I can't stand his show. Of course, he kisses up to women because, his is a day time show for women and minorities. And he knows; "which side his bread is buttered on." It really has nothing to do with mental health.

baywood1949 07:58:01 PM Feb 01 2008

when are people going to realize that "Doctor" phil is a bottom feeder?
its all about money for this parasite of oprah winfrey.

cbstinc 05:17:48 PM Feb 01 2008

Things like this happens when you get a lot of money and have not an idea of what is going on, get real this poor girl is an idiot, no education, that's why she's in this situation, to much money, to much freedom, I'm a star and I do what I want. Sorry honey, use your brains at least. don't go around doing stupid shit, at least try to be a role model for the young generation, look at your sister, 16 and pregnant. great example for the kids that follow you. like I said, uneducated people don't know what to do, now can you imagine uneducated and rich, they don't last to long.

j710c 03:18:36 PM Jan 31 2008

Welcome to America!!!...We promote child abusing, drug using, deadbeat celebrity parents. Don't believe us? Turn on the news, and who do you see? BRITNEY SPEARS the most important woman in the country!!!! Get this America, she has done all said things above and has not spent more than a DAY in a nuthouse/jail. Again i say welcome to America.

ccook79 01:50:13 PM Jan 31 2008

ha.....he finally confessess he's and idiot

bradleyjstevens 01:29:00 PM Jan 31 2008

Why would anyone seek advice from a egotistical,
fat windbag like Dr. Phil. Overpaid, no-talent buffone.

zdarqthornz 01:23:00 PM Jan 31 2008

Why didn't my comment show?

zdarqthornz 01:23:00 PM Jan 31 2008

Sadly this happens to a large amount of people in the world. Why do we care about Britney?

Sux2BeULol 01:14:26 PM Jan 31 2008

Her we go with pointing fingers and blaming others when all this is about is a "GIRL" who needs help and if no one else would do it maybe him saying what he said was the right thing to do!! He didn't go there as a Doctor and wasn't sworn to privacy laws... You all need to go and blame her parents that made her a money train for them, they were never there for her as parents, there wer just there with their hands out!! Good Luck Brit!!!

kittyrnoh 12:03:00 PM Jan 31 2008

He's worse than the paparazzi, he did this to try and save face.

Uney1992 11:39:00 AM Jan 31 2008

yeah, he exploited her troubles

emeraldnredding 11:36:39 AM Jan 31 2008

No matter what people think of Dr. Phil..... "HE IS RIGHT ABOUT WHAT HE SAID." millions of people in America and the rest of the world think the same thing! Britany DOES NEED HELP AND IS IN DIRE NEED OF IT!

lawdog4321 11:13:00 AM Jan 31 2008

Let me get this right, someone says Britney Spears needs help and he is the bad guy. Only in America would anyone defend an alcoholic, drug users that has lost custody of her own children, and wrecked her career. Dr. Phil may not be the answer to her problems but at least he says it like it is. Spears is in “dire” need of medical and psychological help.

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